We are proud to say that Cozumel Insider was the FIRST website to publish an extensive gallery of Cozumel Carnaval photos as well as an accurate Calendar of Events in English for Carnaval in advance so as to allow more travelers the chance to plan their vacation time to be here in Cozumel for the festivities.

Since the Cozumel Carnaval Photo Gallery began in 2003, it's been our pleasure to attend as many Cozumel Carnaval events as possible and take pictures to post so that "would be" visitors have a good idea of what all goes on during these weeks. We've sure had a lot of fun over the years participating in Carnaval and sharing these pictures with you. We've met alot of new island visitors each Carnaval and made tons of memories to last a lifetime!

So sit back, relax and browse our Cozumel Carnaval gallery of photos and just imagine yourself here in Cozumel participating next time! If you missed this year, come join us next year as Cozumel Carnaval is bound to be even bigger and better than ever! And who knows ~ you just might be in our next Carnaval photo gallery!!

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Photos from Carnaval 2016 - Introduction of King & Queen Candidates

After a very late Press Conference held December 10, 2016 to make "official" the Carnaval dates for this year, Pre-Carnaval 2016 activities officially began Saturday night January 9 as thousands of Cozumel Carnaveleros gathered at the new large covered tent venue in front of the Palacio in the Parque Quintana Roo. This will be the principal venue for all Carnaval events this year starting with this month long competition to elect the official King and Queen of Carnaval, King and Queen of Alegria as well as the King and Queen of Fantasia for 2016. In addition the Teen King & Queen of Carnaval2016 candidates were on hand as well as this year's Special King and Queen of Carnaval and the Sexual Diversity Candidates.

Outside the new tent venue, it was clear from the traffic jam, transit police and long ticket lines that Carnaveleros were coming out enforce to the opening event. This being the third and final Carnaval presided over by Cozumel's Presidente Fredy Marrufo Martin, everyone was eager to show their support of the administration and see the live concert afterward by Aleks Syntek.

The host for Carnaval 2016, Memo-Memo el Mero-Mero Carnavalero Sr. Memo Lara, took the stage in a light blue and silver sequined satin tux and matching over-sized top hat accented with feathers and glittered musical notes. Sr. Lara spoke to a sell-out crowd welcoming everyone and encouraging all to participate in this year's festivities as Carnavaleros!

After watching a performance by the Cozumel Carnaval Ballet 2016, Sr. Lara recognized Cozumel's Presidente Fredy Marrufo Martin and then "Fredy" gave a rousing speech to animate the crowd. Fredy invited everyone in the community to join in and enjoy Carnaval 2016 by attending all the marvelous events planned and take advantage of the chance to see the incredible line up of musical talent slated to be here in the coming weeks for Carnaval. Marrufo then closed his remarks by acknowledging Cozumel's enduring Carnavelero Spirit as well as assuring everyone that Carnaval 2016 will be filled with spectacular events despite the constraints of the island's economic difficulties. Governor Borge was also in attendance as well as the Presidente Municipal of Solidaridad and beauty queen Miss Quintana Roo 2016.The full house crowd of Carnavaleros then showed their support with a big round of applause.

Host Memo-Memo then welcomed the past King and Queen of Carnaval 2015 and asked them to say a few words and share a dance to help excite the crowd. As each addressed the crowd, it was clear that both the King and Queen were grateful to have been Cozumel Royalty for the past year and had wonderful memories to share for years to come. They each wished all of this year's candidates the best of luck then broke into a lively impromptu salsa amidst supportive clapping and clamoring of the crowd. Once the current royalty had all been acknowledged, it was time to get to know the King and Queen candidates for 2016.

To get things started concerning the competitions, Sr. Memo-Memo first introduced the candidates for Kid's King and Queen: Angel Yael Ix Chan and Franklin Antonio Santos Aranda for King and then Naniby Joselin May Xihum and Isis Alejendra Gándara Gámez as Queen candidates. Each had a few nervous minutes to tell the crowd why they should be elected and all were so very cute as they each danced a bit of salsa for the crowd.

After this Host Memo-Memo then introduced the Teen King and Queencandidates: Alex Jordany Chan Mena and Ángel Iván González León for King followed by Yuliana Zahia Sleme Zetina as the only Queen candidate this year. Once they were all on the stage, Memo-Memo then introduced the designated Emperors of Carnaval 2016, "Chocolate" and his lovely wife who received standing applause from the crowd in recognition of their many years as a grand Carnavaleros.

Once the Emperors were announced, Host Memo then announced this year's Special King and Queen for Carnaval. Last year, Cozumel's First Lady advised that the community must increase its awareness and sensitivity to those with physical and mental challenges and that Cozumel must do all it can to facilitate their needs and make them feel cherished and comfortable in our city. What better way to do this she said than by initiating a Special King and Queen of Carnaval category just for them. For this second year, Memo announced Danila Concepción Solís Valle and Sebastian Culebro Santana as the Special King and Queen of Carnaval 2016. Both Danila and Sebastian joined Memo on stage for a quick speech and dance which was applauded by all.

Host Memo then called to the stage and announced this year's Sexual Diversity King and Queen candidates as: Juan Daniel Young Pech, Daniel Alberto Catzin Cetina, Manuel Antonio Dzul Brito and Miguel Alonso Basulto Estrella.

To close out the evening's introductions, Sr. Memo-Memo began introducing the 6 enthusiastic candidates who have stepped forward this year to compete for the titles of King Queen of Carnaval 2016!

All three Queen candidates, Luz Yaneli Cruz Vivas, Maria Fernanda Sosa Rojas and Priscilla Vivas Herrera spoke a few words to the crowd about their desire to be Cozumel's Queen of Carnaval 2016 and each made a lively dance around the stage to rouse the crowd. Host Memo-Memo then introduced the 3 candidates for King of Carnaval 2016. As with the Queen candidates, Jorge Rafael Martín Arjona, Manuel Jesus Aguilar Salas and Marco Antonio Cárdenas Marrufo were given the opportunity to address the crowd and explain why they wanted to be Cozumel's King of Carnaval 2016.

Each of the candidates spoke of their own personal history as Carnavaleros, their devotion to preserving Carnaval as an island tradition and assured the crowd that if elected they would represent Cozumel with enthusiasm, dedication and hard work to ensure Carnaval 2016 is a lasting memory for everyone. After each candidate spoke, all the candidates then returned to the stage together and danced as they encouraged the crowd to stand and dance and participate with applause. At the same time, campaign supporters of each candidate passed through the crowded auditorium and flooded Carnavaleros with posters and gimmicks trying to attract a vote for their candidate in the coming election.

The Event Host Memo-Memo el Mero-Mero Carnavalero then closed the evening's events with another call for everyone to become "Carnavaleros" this month and participate in Carnaval 2016 to help make it a spectacular and memorable event! He then introduced the amazing Aleks Syntek to the rambunctious and excited sell-out crowd of Carnavaleros who enthusiastically began the Carnaval 2016 season by dancing until 4am.